Little Bohemia as it appeared in the 1990s when it was still operating as a resort and restaurant. Most of the cabins on the property have been torn down or replaced, but some of the original structures still stood at the time this photo was taken.
The rest of the story...
OK. You read the story of the gun battle at Little Bohemia in April of 1934. Naturally, there's more detail about what happened that weekend, but now that you have the highlights, here's the "inside story."
What happened to Mrs. Wanatka after she left her lodge that night?
She went to her sister's house, as planned. Because the Voss place, known as Birchwood Lodge, was an FBI command center, however, she was hearing detailed reports of what was going on. Once she learned the gang had been at the Mitchell house, (remember the elderly couple whose phone was pulled from the wall by Hamilton?) she was certain the gang would come for her and so she convinced her sister, niece and mother to hide with her in the woods. They didn't come out until the next morning when they heard her brother-in-law, Henry Voss, calling, "Come out. It's over. Everything's OK." For the next several years, however, she lived in fear that associates of the gang would one day come and kill her. (They never did, of course, and she lived a long life, dying in the 1980s.)
What about Emil Wanatka?
Well, now, here's where it gets interesting. Wanatka was a minor player in the bootlegging business during the 1920s. When he decided to start a new life, he used what money he had in 1928 to buy the land for the lodge, which he built shortly after.
Unfortunately, it was just one of numerous resorts in the area, and with the deepening Depression, times were tough. Then he hit on an idea. Using some old contacts in the underworld, he spread the word his place was available. (Wanatka was a long standing friend of Louis Cernocky, and it was likely Cernocky who sent the gang to Wanatka's.) Anyway, the resort, said Wanatka, was remote, and no one would bother anyone there. He saw a nice payday since he knew underworld figures would pay well for safety. There's still some debate as to whether he knew exactly who was coming that weekend, but he certainly knew to expect some "special" guests. In fact, one of his employees would testify later that when Van Meter arrived on Friday afternoon, Wanatka was exiting the lodge with another man just as Van Meter was entering. The employee would remember Van Meter said, "Hello, Emil. I guess you are expecting some guests." Additionally, as Van Meter was arriving, Lloyd LaPorte, Wanatka's brother-in-law, was just leaving. LaPorte would later testify that as their cars passed in the drive, Van Meter rolled down his window and called to LaPorte, "Is this Emil's place?" Finally, remember the employee remarking about how heavy some of the luggage was, and that it felt like it was "full of lead?" (It was. Those cases contained the gang's high-powered weapons). When the employee made the off-hand remark, Wanatka turned and told him, "Shut up and mind your own business." Also, there is evidence that when Nelson arrived, he handed a letter to Wanatka from Cernocky. The letter urged Wanatka to "take good care of my friends." Wanatka handed the letter back to Nelson (who torn it up) saying "I understand."
If Wanatka knew who they were (or at least figured it out quickly), then why did he allow his son to play catch with them ... or why did he get into a shooting match with them ... or take his son along with Van Meter to get the gang's laundry done?
It's because he trusted them, and they trusted him. Besides, they were there at his "invitation," and he was being paid well. And even as he was no doubt having second thoughts, it was too late at that point. He just wanted to keep them happy and get through the weekend. And that's why Mrs. Wanatka was allowed to come and go. (Although Nelson apparently did follow her to the family's house on Saturday night, just to be sure. He didn't trust her, and apparently told other members of the gang about his concerns .... it was a concern they would all share before the end of the weekend.)
Were Van Meter and Nelson really growing steadily unstable during the weekend?
That's unlikely. Wanatka realized early on that he was in a lot deeper than he planned, and may have just been taking things out of context. But in fairness to him, he was likely concerned for the safety of his family. He probably envisioned an occasional minor underworld figure showing up. Instead he got the most wanted men in America at that time. A police raid was a very real possibility.
If the gang trusted them, why were they always following Mrs. Wanatka and listening to her conversations?
It was just the opposite. She was the one who was always following them and listening. Dillinger would later say "You couldn't whisper your secrets into your pillow without her hearing you." Actually, it was Wanatka's wife that may have caused most of the tension that weekend. She was understandably concerned for her family, and made an issue of it in front of the gang. It's not known if she was aware "special guests" were coming to the lodge - and she probably didn't - but they weren't there very long before she knew who they were ... and the potential danger that posed to her family. She wanted them gone, but Wanatka kept assuring her that there would be no trouble, and kept assuring the gang that he could keep his wife under control.
So why did the Wanatkas decide to contact the FBI?
Well, Mrs. Wanatka wanted the gang gone and Emil needed money to keep the heavily-mortgaged lodge afloat, so one (or both) seized on a great idea. They were being paid by the gang (allegedly $500 - about $6,000 in today's money) for allowing them to stay for the weekend. If the gang was captured, however, they could also collect the various rewards offered for each gang member. A very profitable weekend.
Did the gang figure out Wanatka's plan?
Probably not at first. They were leaving a day early because Mrs. Wanatka was making all of them nervous with her constant eavesdropping and complaining. Once they got to safety in St. Paul, however, they probably figured out it was Wanatka who had double-crossed them. Remember, it was a remote lodge, it was the off-season, and arrangements had been made for them by a go-between who probably assured them they'd be safe because the lodge owner was in on the plan. (And it could explain why Mrs. Wanatka was so fearful for her life for years after the raid. She knew that the gang had figured it out.)
What happened to the captured women?
Nothing really. They were held until May 25 when they pleaded guilty on minor charges. They were given suspended sentences of a year and a day with 18 months probation. When released. they simply broke their probations and returned to their men.
What spooked Reilly each time he and Cherrington returned?
Simple. No cars. When the couple had left for St. Paul early Sunday morning, the other two gang cars were in the lot, and guests and staff were walking around outside. During the day, however, the gang put their cars in the garage to keep them out of sight. When Reilly returned and pulled into the drive, all the cars were gone and no one was around. (Everyone was inside eating an early dinner.) He had no way of knowing they were inside quietly waiting for him. When he saw the empty lot and no one around, he assumed the gang had left or had been captured. He feared a police trap and quickly left. When he drove by a little later, just after Mrs. Wanatka had left, it was the same thing - an empty-looking resort. He decided to drive around until dark and then return for a closer look. It was just dumb luck he returned for the third time just as the raid was starting. As for the agents who shot at him, they were caught up in the confusion. Remember, they were in the deep woods. There were no street lights. They only had the lights of the lodge off in the distance to guide them. When the shooting started, the lights went out and they were in near total darkness. The dogs were barking, there was gunfire from the resort, they could hear fellow agents calling in the woods .... and suddenly a big, powerful V8 pulls in behind them and slowly drives toward the lodge with its lights out. They had no idea who was in the car. The agents likely did identify themselves, as they later reported, but probably opened fire as they were doing it. There was a lot of confusion. Reilly assumed it was a trap for him, managed to escape, and he and Cherrington made their way back to St. Paul. Cherrington received minor injury from the shattered window, including cuts and a black eye. Reilly was uninjured, but had a whole new prospective on gang life.
Did Wanatka make any money out of all of this?
No rewards, but he did make a little for a short time. When the gang escaped, they left all their belongings. The FBI took the weapons, but Wanatka had everything else ... clothing, books, makeup cases, brushes and combs, razors, shoes, dressing gowns, etc., etc. He established a small museum in one of the cabins and did OK for a few years. By the time World War II ended, however, interest in the gang had faded and the museum was left to the elements. It was still in operation into the 60s, but with few visitors and in an unheated cabin, the neglected clothing had long since taken on a damp, musty smell, the books faded and dried or suffered water damage Everything else simply rotted away. But for a time, the tourists did come. Even Dillinger's father came and met with the tourists and talked about his son .... for a small admission price. And by the way, Wanatka later admitted to the FBI that several of the items on display, including a gun, actually belonged to him and not the gang. To be sure, most of the stuff on display did belong to the gang members, but Wanatka fleshed out the exhibit with other items.
And what about the gang?
Well, they escaped and lived to fight another day .... but that's part of other stories posted on this site. (One would be dead within a week; the rest within months.)
And the FBI?
It took a major hit. Remember, the FBI was not what it is today. It was a small department. It had offices across the country, but not that many agents. Many people thought funding the department was a waste of money, and some members of Congress called for Hoover to be fired and the department disbanded after the disaster at Little Bohemia. Hoover managed to side-step the issue .... and would redeem himself and the department in just 90 days when it finally got Dillinger.
What about the Wanatkas?
Not much to tell here. Emil Wanatka learned his lesson that weekend and never invited any "special guests" again. Besides, after that weekend he was no longer trusted, and any underworld contacts he had immediately dried up. That weekend didn't do much for his personal life either - his wife divorced him a couple of years later. Emil Wanatka died in 1975. His son, Emile Jr., purchased the lodge from his father in 1957 and ran it until he eventually retired to Florida. He died in September, 2009, at 83. He and his wife, Janet, saw the Johnny Depp film "Public Enemies," but did not like it. Emil Jr. said there was too much gunplay. He said it was "too Hollywood." If asked, he would speak about the weekend the gang was there, but he rarely brought it up on his own. He remembered them all as being polite and friendly when spoken to, but quiet and keeping to themselves otherwise. He said Dillinger had joked with him and gave him a quarter, and he spent it soon after. (And yes, he did play catch with the gang, and said they were all fooling around and everyone was laughing and enjoying themselves.) Emil Jr. had three children.
And the lodge?
It is still a hotel/bar/restaurant and it still has the Old World look it had in 1934. The main hallway still has framed newspaper clippings from 1934. As to the Voss place (Birchwood Lodge), it is still up and running as a tourist lodge, but has long since distanced itself from that cold April night in 1934.
Are there any existing newsreels of that weekend?
Sure. There are a few newsreels still around. Basically, they just pan slowly across the front of the lodge showing the damage. A couple of quick shots of the road leading to the lodge, a shot of the lake out back, and a shot of the back window from which the gang escaped. There's even a shot of a Little Bohemia employee climbing out of the window to demonstrate how the gang did it. There's a shot or two of the dogs, and a quick interview with a smiling Emil who, in a thick Eastern European accent, says the gang was "A nice bunch of boys..." and Dillinger "Was friendly and a good card player." There's even a clip of the Mitchell's (remember the old couple?) Mrs. Mitchell tells about Dillinger putting the blanket on her shoulders and calling her "mother." Mr. Mitchell doesn't speak, but dutifully nods in agreement.
Anything else?
Well, George Boza, one of the lodge employees, was interviewed years later about that weekend. He didn't add much, but did say the guests were friendly, polite and tipped well. He said when they arrived, they acted like any other guests. The men walked around outside smoking and stretching their legs, and the women all wanted to use the ladies room. He said one or two of them may have had a drink before dinner, but none of them were "drinkers," and they kept to themselves. He did say, however, Nelson and Carroll told a lot of funny jokes to the staff ("and some was of a blue nature") .... but he had long since forgotten them.
What happened to Mrs. Wanatka after she left her lodge that night?
She went to her sister's house, as planned. Because the Voss place, known as Birchwood Lodge, was an FBI command center, however, she was hearing detailed reports of what was going on. Once she learned the gang had been at the Mitchell house, (remember the elderly couple whose phone was pulled from the wall by Hamilton?) she was certain the gang would come for her and so she convinced her sister, niece and mother to hide with her in the woods. They didn't come out until the next morning when they heard her brother-in-law, Henry Voss, calling, "Come out. It's over. Everything's OK." For the next several years, however, she lived in fear that associates of the gang would one day come and kill her. (They never did, of course, and she lived a long life, dying in the 1980s.)
What about Emil Wanatka?
Well, now, here's where it gets interesting. Wanatka was a minor player in the bootlegging business during the 1920s. When he decided to start a new life, he used what money he had in 1928 to buy the land for the lodge, which he built shortly after.
Unfortunately, it was just one of numerous resorts in the area, and with the deepening Depression, times were tough. Then he hit on an idea. Using some old contacts in the underworld, he spread the word his place was available. (Wanatka was a long standing friend of Louis Cernocky, and it was likely Cernocky who sent the gang to Wanatka's.) Anyway, the resort, said Wanatka, was remote, and no one would bother anyone there. He saw a nice payday since he knew underworld figures would pay well for safety. There's still some debate as to whether he knew exactly who was coming that weekend, but he certainly knew to expect some "special" guests. In fact, one of his employees would testify later that when Van Meter arrived on Friday afternoon, Wanatka was exiting the lodge with another man just as Van Meter was entering. The employee would remember Van Meter said, "Hello, Emil. I guess you are expecting some guests." Additionally, as Van Meter was arriving, Lloyd LaPorte, Wanatka's brother-in-law, was just leaving. LaPorte would later testify that as their cars passed in the drive, Van Meter rolled down his window and called to LaPorte, "Is this Emil's place?" Finally, remember the employee remarking about how heavy some of the luggage was, and that it felt like it was "full of lead?" (It was. Those cases contained the gang's high-powered weapons). When the employee made the off-hand remark, Wanatka turned and told him, "Shut up and mind your own business." Also, there is evidence that when Nelson arrived, he handed a letter to Wanatka from Cernocky. The letter urged Wanatka to "take good care of my friends." Wanatka handed the letter back to Nelson (who torn it up) saying "I understand."
If Wanatka knew who they were (or at least figured it out quickly), then why did he allow his son to play catch with them ... or why did he get into a shooting match with them ... or take his son along with Van Meter to get the gang's laundry done?
It's because he trusted them, and they trusted him. Besides, they were there at his "invitation," and he was being paid well. And even as he was no doubt having second thoughts, it was too late at that point. He just wanted to keep them happy and get through the weekend. And that's why Mrs. Wanatka was allowed to come and go. (Although Nelson apparently did follow her to the family's house on Saturday night, just to be sure. He didn't trust her, and apparently told other members of the gang about his concerns .... it was a concern they would all share before the end of the weekend.)
Were Van Meter and Nelson really growing steadily unstable during the weekend?
That's unlikely. Wanatka realized early on that he was in a lot deeper than he planned, and may have just been taking things out of context. But in fairness to him, he was likely concerned for the safety of his family. He probably envisioned an occasional minor underworld figure showing up. Instead he got the most wanted men in America at that time. A police raid was a very real possibility.
If the gang trusted them, why were they always following Mrs. Wanatka and listening to her conversations?
It was just the opposite. She was the one who was always following them and listening. Dillinger would later say "You couldn't whisper your secrets into your pillow without her hearing you." Actually, it was Wanatka's wife that may have caused most of the tension that weekend. She was understandably concerned for her family, and made an issue of it in front of the gang. It's not known if she was aware "special guests" were coming to the lodge - and she probably didn't - but they weren't there very long before she knew who they were ... and the potential danger that posed to her family. She wanted them gone, but Wanatka kept assuring her that there would be no trouble, and kept assuring the gang that he could keep his wife under control.
So why did the Wanatkas decide to contact the FBI?
Well, Mrs. Wanatka wanted the gang gone and Emil needed money to keep the heavily-mortgaged lodge afloat, so one (or both) seized on a great idea. They were being paid by the gang (allegedly $500 - about $6,000 in today's money) for allowing them to stay for the weekend. If the gang was captured, however, they could also collect the various rewards offered for each gang member. A very profitable weekend.
Did the gang figure out Wanatka's plan?
Probably not at first. They were leaving a day early because Mrs. Wanatka was making all of them nervous with her constant eavesdropping and complaining. Once they got to safety in St. Paul, however, they probably figured out it was Wanatka who had double-crossed them. Remember, it was a remote lodge, it was the off-season, and arrangements had been made for them by a go-between who probably assured them they'd be safe because the lodge owner was in on the plan. (And it could explain why Mrs. Wanatka was so fearful for her life for years after the raid. She knew that the gang had figured it out.)
What happened to the captured women?
Nothing really. They were held until May 25 when they pleaded guilty on minor charges. They were given suspended sentences of a year and a day with 18 months probation. When released. they simply broke their probations and returned to their men.
What spooked Reilly each time he and Cherrington returned?
Simple. No cars. When the couple had left for St. Paul early Sunday morning, the other two gang cars were in the lot, and guests and staff were walking around outside. During the day, however, the gang put their cars in the garage to keep them out of sight. When Reilly returned and pulled into the drive, all the cars were gone and no one was around. (Everyone was inside eating an early dinner.) He had no way of knowing they were inside quietly waiting for him. When he saw the empty lot and no one around, he assumed the gang had left or had been captured. He feared a police trap and quickly left. When he drove by a little later, just after Mrs. Wanatka had left, it was the same thing - an empty-looking resort. He decided to drive around until dark and then return for a closer look. It was just dumb luck he returned for the third time just as the raid was starting. As for the agents who shot at him, they were caught up in the confusion. Remember, they were in the deep woods. There were no street lights. They only had the lights of the lodge off in the distance to guide them. When the shooting started, the lights went out and they were in near total darkness. The dogs were barking, there was gunfire from the resort, they could hear fellow agents calling in the woods .... and suddenly a big, powerful V8 pulls in behind them and slowly drives toward the lodge with its lights out. They had no idea who was in the car. The agents likely did identify themselves, as they later reported, but probably opened fire as they were doing it. There was a lot of confusion. Reilly assumed it was a trap for him, managed to escape, and he and Cherrington made their way back to St. Paul. Cherrington received minor injury from the shattered window, including cuts and a black eye. Reilly was uninjured, but had a whole new prospective on gang life.
Did Wanatka make any money out of all of this?
No rewards, but he did make a little for a short time. When the gang escaped, they left all their belongings. The FBI took the weapons, but Wanatka had everything else ... clothing, books, makeup cases, brushes and combs, razors, shoes, dressing gowns, etc., etc. He established a small museum in one of the cabins and did OK for a few years. By the time World War II ended, however, interest in the gang had faded and the museum was left to the elements. It was still in operation into the 60s, but with few visitors and in an unheated cabin, the neglected clothing had long since taken on a damp, musty smell, the books faded and dried or suffered water damage Everything else simply rotted away. But for a time, the tourists did come. Even Dillinger's father came and met with the tourists and talked about his son .... for a small admission price. And by the way, Wanatka later admitted to the FBI that several of the items on display, including a gun, actually belonged to him and not the gang. To be sure, most of the stuff on display did belong to the gang members, but Wanatka fleshed out the exhibit with other items.
And what about the gang?
Well, they escaped and lived to fight another day .... but that's part of other stories posted on this site. (One would be dead within a week; the rest within months.)
And the FBI?
It took a major hit. Remember, the FBI was not what it is today. It was a small department. It had offices across the country, but not that many agents. Many people thought funding the department was a waste of money, and some members of Congress called for Hoover to be fired and the department disbanded after the disaster at Little Bohemia. Hoover managed to side-step the issue .... and would redeem himself and the department in just 90 days when it finally got Dillinger.
What about the Wanatkas?
Not much to tell here. Emil Wanatka learned his lesson that weekend and never invited any "special guests" again. Besides, after that weekend he was no longer trusted, and any underworld contacts he had immediately dried up. That weekend didn't do much for his personal life either - his wife divorced him a couple of years later. Emil Wanatka died in 1975. His son, Emile Jr., purchased the lodge from his father in 1957 and ran it until he eventually retired to Florida. He died in September, 2009, at 83. He and his wife, Janet, saw the Johnny Depp film "Public Enemies," but did not like it. Emil Jr. said there was too much gunplay. He said it was "too Hollywood." If asked, he would speak about the weekend the gang was there, but he rarely brought it up on his own. He remembered them all as being polite and friendly when spoken to, but quiet and keeping to themselves otherwise. He said Dillinger had joked with him and gave him a quarter, and he spent it soon after. (And yes, he did play catch with the gang, and said they were all fooling around and everyone was laughing and enjoying themselves.) Emil Jr. had three children.
And the lodge?
It is still a hotel/bar/restaurant and it still has the Old World look it had in 1934. The main hallway still has framed newspaper clippings from 1934. As to the Voss place (Birchwood Lodge), it is still up and running as a tourist lodge, but has long since distanced itself from that cold April night in 1934.
Are there any existing newsreels of that weekend?
Sure. There are a few newsreels still around. Basically, they just pan slowly across the front of the lodge showing the damage. A couple of quick shots of the road leading to the lodge, a shot of the lake out back, and a shot of the back window from which the gang escaped. There's even a shot of a Little Bohemia employee climbing out of the window to demonstrate how the gang did it. There's a shot or two of the dogs, and a quick interview with a smiling Emil who, in a thick Eastern European accent, says the gang was "A nice bunch of boys..." and Dillinger "Was friendly and a good card player." There's even a clip of the Mitchell's (remember the old couple?) Mrs. Mitchell tells about Dillinger putting the blanket on her shoulders and calling her "mother." Mr. Mitchell doesn't speak, but dutifully nods in agreement.
Anything else?
Well, George Boza, one of the lodge employees, was interviewed years later about that weekend. He didn't add much, but did say the guests were friendly, polite and tipped well. He said when they arrived, they acted like any other guests. The men walked around outside smoking and stretching their legs, and the women all wanted to use the ladies room. He said one or two of them may have had a drink before dinner, but none of them were "drinkers," and they kept to themselves. He did say, however, Nelson and Carroll told a lot of funny jokes to the staff ("and some was of a blue nature") .... but he had long since forgotten them.
Dillinger's father, John Sr., is pictured in the museum, above, in 1935, and outside of it in the photo below. The two pictures are from postcards that were sold at the museum. In the photo above can be seen neckties, a nightdress and other personal belongings left behind by he gang. To the left in the photo is a collection of newspapers with banner headlines and stories about the gang.
